Eurolambretta 2024, Magny-Cours, France
The municipality of Magny-Cours in the French département of Nièvre, with its population of around 1,400, would probably sink into insignificance if it weren't for the famous "Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours" race track, which hosted Formula 1 races from 1991 to 2008. Scooter racers, on the other hand, can look forward to the "10h Endurance Challenge Scootentole" again this year, which takes place on the circuit in September.
Things got very lively in this no man's land from 14 to 16 June 2024, when around 1,200 Lambretta scooter enthusiasts gathered to celebrate the 33rd Eurolambretta. After sending a SIP crew to the 32nd Eurolambretta in Lincoln, UK, last year and having nothing but good experiences, it was quickly decided that Ana, Max, Nico and Robert would load up the SIP Sprinter and drive the 800 kilometres or so to be there in Magny-Cours.
The journey started at 06.00 Clock on Thursday, 13 June, and just ten hours later the van was unloaded on French soil and our stand was set up. There were no major incidents on the journey and the first part of the mission was completed smoothly and without any accidents.
A Lambretta for 15,000 euros
This year's Eurolambretta was organised by the Lambretta Club France around President Tony Tessier. A varied programme was put together: Workshop, dynamometer, gymkhana, film screening, custom show, tattoo artist, various rides, chopper presentation and of course food and drink, DJs, live music and all sorts of other things. Highlights also included a balloon flight with the legendary "Lambrettair" and a raffle with the chance to win a Lambretta from Casa Performance worth 15,000 euros. The centre of the event was the "Agropôle du Marault" with a camping site, halls, dining hall, car parks, bars and everything else you could wish for.
We had set up our stand in the so-called "Eurolambretta Market" and could not complain about a lack of visitors, which was not only due to the 30-litre keg of cold Augustiner beer that was freshly tapped. In any case, it was good that Ana speaks six languages fluently, as the guests came from 18 different countries, including far-flung countries such as Canada, the USA, Australia and Argentina. And much to the delight of a visitor from Barcelona, she was even able to use her Catalan. Ana remembers: "For me, it was a great festival and a sign of international understanding. Everyone has the same hobby and everyone understands each other."
A common language: the Lambretta
"There was a great deal of interest in our products and the atmosphere was extremely friendly and relaxed," recalls Max of the days spent with the Lambretta enthusiasts. The party finally culminated in the gala dinner on Saturday evening, where our crew was seated at a table with Italians who were watching the 0:1 against Albania in the European Football Championship on their mobile phones. All's well that ends well - the Italians turned the Game around and the dinner together was a complete success.
"People come from all over the world and communicate with their hands and feet," says Nico, describing his experience. "You don't feel any rivalry at all. It's just pleasant and nice." On Sunday, everything was loaded back into the Sprinter, a tearful farewell was bid and the journey home was fortunately just as uneventful as the journey there. And as always: after the Eurolambretta is before the Eurolambretta, because the next date has already been set and will once again offer a very attractive destination:
Eurolambretta 2025 Ayr, Scotland, 26 to 29 June 2025.
As our veteran Robert says: "Once Eurolambretta, always Eurolambretta. I'll be there!"
Picture gallery: Eurolambretta 2024
Short video about the Eurolambretta 2024
